About Us

Who are the Christians for an Ethical Society?

We are a Canberra based ecumenical forum which seeks to engage with the ethical challenges of the contemporary world, locally, nationally and internationally.

Members of the forum are from Christian community and beyond and are committed to inclusiveness, justice, and harmony in a sustainable world.

The Christian foundation of the forum draws upon the prophetic tradition of the Bible which calls both religious and secular leadership to respect the whole created order, especially global humanity, giving voice to the voiceless and dignity to the down trodden.

The forum is conscious that in a secular world perceptions prevail that Christianity (and religion more generally) belong to their own world of personal piety. The forum exists to counter this notion and insist that not only is religion set within the maelstrom of ordinary life and its struggles, but that it has a voice that needs to be heard to counter what otherwise is a world restricted to its material and economic values.

The forum, while Christian in its foundation, seeks to be open in its dialogue with people of other faiths and of none.

At its heart the forum exists to proclaim hope in the midst of brokenness and struggle: to say without equivocation, a world which enables space for all is a better world, an equitable world is a more harmonious world, a world in which humans individually (and together) know their place with each other, the whole created order and God, is a much more liveable world. CES works in close association with The Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture.

President – Professor John Warhurst AO

John Warhurst AO is Emeritus Professor of Political Science at the Australian National University, a member of the National Council of Caritas Australia, chairman of Concerned Catholics Canberra Goulburn and a Canberra Times columnist.

Chair – Rt Rev Dr George Browning

George Browning is the retired Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn. He currently Chairs the Committee of CES, and is President of the Australian Palestine Advocacy Network. He has for many years been a lead advocate for ethical response to Climate Change.

Deputy Chair – Dr David Hunter

David Hunter, is Vice Chair of the CES Committee. As a scientist, he has worked on locusts in many parts of the world and is currently Executive Director and President Elect of the Orthopterists’ Society. He strongly believes we are to use our resources and talents to make a difference in the world around us through a keen sense of justice from a Christian perspective.

Secretary – Ann Skamp

Ann Skamp is an advocate for the full and equal participation of women and girls in their churches and communities and for the elimination of all forms of violence against women and children. She has been a member and Lay Secretary of the Anglican Church’s General Synod (1998 – 2017), a member of the international Anglican Communion delegation to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (2005 – 2016) and of the International Anglican Women’s Network (2006 – ). Ann is the Secretary of the CES Committee.

Treasurer – Dr. Jeremy Dawson

Jeremy Dawson is a semi-retired researcher in computer science at the ANU. With qualifications in mathematics and law, he has previously worked at the CSIRO and in the Public Service. He is married with two adult children and worships at St Matthew’s, Wanniassa.

Professor Ingrid Moses AO

Emeritus Professor Ingrid Moses AO has been a member of the CES Committee for a number of years. She is a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of New England (1997-2006) and Chancellor of the University of Canberra (2006-10). She feels strongly about the benefits of interfaith dialogue and addressing social justice issues together.

Rev’d Peter Walker

Peter Walker is Assistant Director of the Public and Contextual Theology Research Centre at Charles Sturt University, Assistant Editor of the International Journal of Public Theology and a member of the Global Christian-Muslim Studies Network. Peter is an ordained minister of the Uniting Church in Australia and a past president of the ACT Churches Council.

Rt Rev’d Professor Stephen Pickard

Rt Rev’d Professor Stephen Pickard is Executive Director of the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture, Canberra; Director of the Strategic Research Centre in Public and Contextual Theology and Professor of Theology, Charles Sturt University, Canberra. He is an Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Canberra & Gouburn.

Werner Padarin

Werner Padarin is a retired water engineer and a hobbyist photographer. Although still a practising Catholic, he believes much of the institution that is the Catholic Church has lost its way in following the way of Jesus.

Bill Bush

Bill Bush grew up on a small farm on the fringes of Melbourne. Before joining the Department of Foreign Affairs as an international lawyer he worked as a solicitor in Melbourne and taught law as an Australian Volunteer Abroad in Malaysia. He headed the Treaties and Antarctic Sections. Since retiring he has taken an interest in Drug Law Reform and is currently president of Families and Friends for Drug Law Reform. He is a member of St Ninian’s Uniting Church in Lyneham.

Clive Rodger

Clive Rodger is an economist and successful business person currently serving on the Boards of a number of public companies. Clive serves on the Boards of a number of Christian and community organisations including the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture. He trained in ethics at Princeton and currently is Chair of The Conflict Resolution Service of Canberra.